Welcome to the Minnesota Extension IPM Program!

The mission of the Minnesota Extension IPM Program is to foster the development and adoption of IPM to generate economic, environmental and human health benefits. We work in partnership with stakeholders from agricultural, urban and rural settings to identify and address relevant priorities for research, education and outreach.

Monitoring Corn Earworm

Corn Earworm moths are monitored throughout our growing season using a Harstack trap and pheromone lure. From July through September traps are checked daily to detect an uptick in the population of migrating moths. This information is used in multiple ways, one of which is to advise growers on when peak flight activity, therefore peak egg lay, will occur.

Corn Earworm Larvae in Sweet Corn

This is a worst case scenario for a fresh-market grower. The late instar larvae have rendered this ear of corn unmarketable. Implementing pest management techniques such as pest monitoring can help growers avoid this situation.

Monarch Caterpillar on Milkweed

One element of IPM is reducing the risk of pesticides to non-target organisms. Development of the Monarch caterpillar is dependent on milkweed plants. Leaving field edges “wild”, or adding buffer strips of native plants creates a habitat that may help in the survival of Monarchs.

Japanese Beetle on Raspberry

Japanese beetle has a diverse host range that spans across fruit, vegetable, field crops, and ornamental hosts. They are established in the Twin Cities and other urban areas in the southeastern region, and are just beginning to expand into surrounding agricultural areas.

[8/24/2017] During the past 7-10 days several Corn Earworm (CEW) pheromone trap volunteers have confirmed significant increases in moth flights, with counts ranging from 50/night at Owatonna and Rosemount, to >175/night at Blue Earth.

[6/15/2017] Several different locations in the RRV are experiencing emerging Colorado potato beetles (CPB). I've visited a few fields where overwintered beetles are contentedly finding mates and munching young potato plants (some places more heavily than others).